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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Having moved to Derbyshire fairly recently, I have discovered lots of delightful little eateries, my particular favourite is the Vintage Community with it charming little Tea Rooms.

Imagine my joy when Lydia (proprietor) announced that she would be holding a 'Vintage Inspired' weekend, featuring oodles of activities, including craft demo's, vintage cars, vintage styling, pin up photography..... the list goes on. I asked Lydia if she like me to do crochet demo's on Saturday and Sunday, nothing flash just simple 'Granny Squares', she replied, "yes please", but you have to wear Vintage clothing"....eek!!!

After much thought I have decided to go with 1940's work wear, which basically means, that I now have an excuse to purchase a pair of baggy denim dungaree's, and nice little blouse, and a pair of brogues or Mary Jane's, Lydia also informs me that I should wear a headscarf and to finish it off, make up of that era and bright red lippy!!!!

Sunday, July 5, 2015

I have always been charmed by all things Japanese, not so much the technology but the delicate nature of their attention to detail. The geisha tea ceremony fascinates me their ancient traditions, the romantic pictures of gnarly black trees dripping with delicate shades of blossom. Much of my recent design work has I feel a Japanese influence to it. Glaringly so with this little cushion I worked up to accompany my Jiguzagu cushion (see previous blog).

I used a chunky weight cotton that I have had knocking around for a while, I bought this a Knit and Stitch show Ally Pally a number of years ago, its called Perfomance Winter Cotton, added to this was Patons 100% 4ply for the appliquéd tree and finally Stylecraft cotton classique for the blossom.

The tree is pretty much freehand although I have written some rough guidance notes. I hope you enjoy the pattern as much as I did.

Cherīburossamu
Cushion (チェリーブロッサム)

Yarn:

Cushion - Any Aran/Worsted Cotton 240mtrs.

Flowers -Stylecraft Cotton Classique DK.

1
x ball of Saville 3670

1 x ball of Ivory 3665

Tree – Patons 100% Cotton 4ply 1712

Stitches
(UK)

Ch =
Chain

Slst =
Slip Stitch

Dc =
Double Crochet

Tr = Treble Crochet

Special Sts – Surface Crochet, insert
hook into crochet fabric, draw a loop through, insert hook back into fabric
at top of loop catch yarn at back and draw through, rep to end on last loop
pull yarn all the way through and using needle stitch back in to secure.

Row 91 – 1ch (doesn’t count as a st), 1dc into next
8sts, work 8ch, skip 4sts, 1dc into next 11sts, work 8ch, skip 4sts, 1dc to the
end, fasten off. If possible do not cut
yarn put piece to one side for flower placement and surface crochet.

Gently
steam block your piece.

Tree Trunk

The
tree trunk is made by working a chain, this is of your own choice of length, I
used 70ch, (Use image as a guide if you wish), turn.

Work
a dbltr into 5th ch from hook and each ch about 21 times, 3dbltr
into next chain to form a bend in the tree.
Work in tr’s, then reduce to a htr’s, work a htr 3 tog to form another
bend at any chosen point reduce to a dc’s and then a slst into last few chains,
fasten off.

*Join
yarn back into top of beginning 4ch, work 4ch, this is main trunk so work dbltr
into chosen amount of sts, and reduce sts as and when you wish to, use sts
together and more sts in same stitch to form bends, again as and when you wish,
fasten off.

Repeat
from * using less sts and fasten off.

Larger branches use instructions for
tree trunk starting with a tr rather than a dbltr. Place pieces loosely on cushion and arrange
to suit, using yarn tails secure the pieces to the cushion stitch down edges.

When
you are happy with your arrangement use the surface crochet technique to make the
smaller twigs on which you will place your flowers.

As you may all be aware by now there was some sad news last week, the hugely talented crochet designer Marinke Slump known as Wink took her own life after her long battle with severe depression. In her honour those in the crochet community are making her signature Mandalas, #MandalasforMarinke, for more information see Crochetconcupiscence , there is also a lovely blog post from Winks little sister follow this link.

I know I will be working on a Mandala, what a lovely idea from 'Crochetconcupiscence'.

A Little Bit of Vera History!

Not my real name but in 'homage' to my grandma. When I was very young Vera tried desperately to pass on all the crafting skills she had, I only learnt to appreciate this as I got older, realizing that being taught a craft is such a valuable gift. Vera was responsible for buying me my first sewing machine, which eventually fed my love of sewing. Vera gifted me with amazing knitted baby clothes for my first child and this made me appreciate all things wool. She is fondly remembered and I will be eternally gratefully for her gift of craft knowledge.